Doubts Answered

After a long period of doubt, I discovered that some of my faith was hindered by legalism. I had heard of the term, but never applied it totally to myself. I came to a point where I was totally hindered by being double minded. My faith was not a complete faith. I asked my Pastor for counsel. He recognized what I was doing wrong. I was dwelling on my salvation experience to prove I was saved. I was also trying to prove my faith to myself because of my poetry I had written. Both things were good, but I made the mistake of looking to these for these things for assurance. My Pastor revealed to me that double mindedness came from the desire to try trusting something other than Christ. He simply said, "Trust Christ." The two words stuck in my mind and heart. Don't trust your salvation experience and don't trust your gift of poetry. Don't trust your part in salvation. Just Trust Christ. As I worked through this I let go of the things I was using to prove To myself my salvation. Again the answer was to trust Christ and what he had done. The solution was found when I called on God for deliverance. Again the words rang true "Trust Christ." The next day lead me to not only trust Christ, but also trust Christ's love. I found myself complete as this last step was applied. I don't understand the spiritual ramifications of this "I just know to trust Christ"

Letting Go

After some panic attacks, I found myself fighting through my anxieties. I came to a conclusion that instead of worrying, maybe I would let go trying so hard. Truly I found myself trying to be perfect. God made me aware that some of the things I was doing were not necessarily bad, but I was being lead in a strange way to be perfect. These things were not bad, but as added things to a do list. Things which were preferences and not convictions. The first step was to assume that I was truly saved. As I work through this I found a key to stop working for perfection and even salvation. There is a verse that talks about this, "But to him that works not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly his faith is counted for righteousness." Truly salvation states by looking at Christ death for us and through faith we find a resting place. As I stopped putting energy into my fears, I found myself not working. I found that I could tell God I would trust Him for his will for me. I would remember to not work, but let go into God's hands.

Goals

There is a thought that as we have goals in our lives we are made by nature to fulfill these goals. If this is true how can we use this in our lives. Goals then find a way to make our lives work or not work depending what goal is before us. Practical goals such as being faithful to a job, managing money, being a consistent prayer and daily bible reading are good. I've come upon three spiritual goals to motivate my life. The Lutheran catechism says the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forevermore. I believe that this goal can address why we are here. Another goal I have is to touch lives with God's goodness. A part of touching lives is to pray for others. As I pray in secret, I watch for God to reward openly by His working in the lives of family and friends. When deciding for the early church what needed to be taught, one focus was to avoid fornication. The last goal I have for myself is to keep myself unspotted from the world. Truly blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. As I apply these goals I focus on God in a consistent way and I can now define my life and what I am truly about.

Love Of Money

The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. How do we deal with this verse and how can we apply it. Another verse,"There is a man that makes himself rich, but is poor. There is a man that makes himself poor, but is rich." How can we fight against our carnal desire for riches. I believe by seeing the true great riches we can keep money in perspective. One of these riches is wisdom. We are called to search for wisdom at least as hard as we seek for gold or silver. Why because wisdom gives us valuable things that makes oneself spiritually rich and to teach others about about these riches. What is greater riches than changing lives, that leads to true contentment. Godliness with contentment is great gain. To be able to love others without hypocrisy also making a difference. No greater joy do we have than our children walking in truth. True riches is God working in our lives and the lives of others.
What then do we do with money? We need to realize it's a tool to build in other people's lives. God promises us enough money to do every good work. Yet, we are to learn to use money in such a way to maximize its' value. I am learning to use money in a way not to waste it. The best way to realize this is that all we need is food and raiment and there with to be content.
David said I don't want to give to the Lord, something that cost me nothing. As we share the gospel may it cost us something. To be spiritually involved in there lives or other ways of cost. Practically I've learned my addiction to pop and the waste of my money on it can be simply solved by making and carrying my own tea. Which costs me almost nothing. Another way to maximize my money is instead of spending money on eating out is to replace it with Slimfast. I need to lose weight anyway. Also by buying groceries at Aldis I stretch my food dollar. With the money I save I can turn it into a tool for witnessing. A simple CD costs me $3. Equivalent to 2 1/2 pops. Or a small poetry book for $1.50. Truly as I sow I might not receive money, but what greater riches then to touch lives. I challenge you to maximize your witness by giving to others in a sacrificial way, to touch lives by the tool of money and your own spiritual gifts. Seeking true riches and displaying God's love by that tool.